Expanding Bush Budgets Irk Conservatives

With Next Blueprint Looming, a Look
At How Defense, Entitlements Fuel Increases

By

Jackie Calmes Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Updated Jan. 24, 2006 12:01 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON -- When President Bush reveals his budget request in two weeks, he likely will repeat a boast from recent speeches: "We've now cut the rate of growth in nonsecurity discretionary spending each year since I've been in office."

But such spending -- for everything from air-traffic control to education and prisons -- amounts to one-sixth of a $2.5 trillion budget. And it is the only piece that isn't ballooning.